Helena Kines

Helena Kines passed away after a brief illness on Thanksgiving Sunday, October 7, 2018 in the Roblin Health Centre with her family at her side.

Helena Truffyn was born on May 17, 1926 in Shell Valley, one of ten children of Rose and Kostyn Truffyn where she grew up on the family farm. She took her schooling in Tummel, took business training and worked in Winnipeg as a secretary, and then trained at Normal school in Winnipeg as a teacher. She taught for over 30 wonderful years, beginning in a one room school house at Mountain House, followed by Tummel School, the Roblin Primary School and then as the Business Education teacher at Roblin Collegiate Institute, later Goose Lake High School. She was a dedicated teacher, believing firmly in training her students to become the best secretaries and office administrators they could be. She loved the camaraderie of the staff room - there was always lots of laughter and teasing going on with her fellow teachers and she relished her years of teaching.

She married Hugh Kines in the Roblin United Church on July 30^th 1953, recently celebrating their 65th wedding anniversary. They built their home on Hospital Street where they raised their 3 children, Michele, Clare, and Larry. She managed to teach, run a home and raise 3 children without missing a beat. As well as teacher, wife and mother and grandmother, she was an ardent ball player in her younger years, pitching with the Roblin Rockettes, belonged to Royal Purple, Roblin Rubies, and was a dedicated and faithful member of Knox United Church in Roblin.

Her retirement years were spent travelling with Hugh and best friends Barb and Garry Gaber. The four of them covered every Canadian province, every US state, and most areas of Mexico, as well as a trip through Great Britain. She also made many trips with Hugh, Larry and Brandt and they made several trips to see the Blue Jays play in Kansas City, Minneapolis Denver, and Seattle. She was also an avid reader and loved to watch the Blue Jays (and coach from her chair!) and curling.

She is survived by her husband Hugh, daughter Michele Kines and Ron McConnell, son Clare and Leah Kines, son Larry, grandchildren Brandt, Travis and Hilary Kines, and daughter-in-law Lisa Pierce. She is also survived by 2 sisters, Kate (Hector) Topham and Shirley Paulenko, brotherin-law Wayne (Deva) Kines and numerous well-loved nieces and nephews, including her newly found niece Grace, whose discovery brought much happiness to her final months.

She was predeceased by her parents, brothers Michael, Bill (Mary), and John Truffyn, sisters Mary (Frank) Perry, Verna (Les) Brighter, Edith (Eli) Cheropita, Ruby (Jack) Keens, brothers-in-law George Paulenko, Tom (Mavis) and Don (Bonnie) Kines, sisters-in law Valerie and Jayne Kines, and daughter-in-law Janice Dixon.

Funeral service was held from Roblin Knox United Church on October 22nd, 2018 with Rev. Dr. Jenny Sprong officiating and Brenda Neuhofer as pianist. Scripture reader was niece Theresa Ferguson and Words of Remembrance were given by Dale Yeo and Michele Kines. Longtime neighbour Ed Doering sang “On Eagles Wings” and the Church Choir sang “Go in Love”. Donations in Helena’s memory may be made to the Roblin Community Foundation or Roblin Knox United Church. NairnChyz-Wolkowski Funeral Service was in care of arrangements.

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